Melrose Park to open gazebo is honour of Don Springbett

President of the Clare Valley Model Engineers with Rotary Club of Clare community service director Graham Goode and CVME secretary David Lloyd.

Clare Valley Model Engineers and Rotary Club of Clare have finished their final touches to a new gazebo in Melrose Park and will officially open it early next month.

The gazebo cost around $20,000 to build and was put together by the hard work of local volunteer engineers.

Each community group contributed half of the total cost, with the Rotary Club raising their contribution through the Clare Arts Show and CVME raising funds through train ride fares.

President for the CVME Dean Manderson said the gazebo will be a valued asset to park.

“When we get a lot of people down here (Melrose Park) it’s sometimes hard for people to find a spot in the shade,” Mr Manderson said.

The Rotary Club’s community service director Graham Goode said when they heard about the project, they instantly saw the importance and wanted to help out in anyway they could.

“We just saw what was being done in the area and thought we should continue it,” Mr Goode said.

The logos of the Rotary Club of Clare and the Clare Valley Model Engineers line the back end of the new Don Springbett Gazebo opening in May.

“We’re very pleased with how it turned out, pleased to be involved and (would like to) thank the Model Engineers very much for their contribution.”

The gazebo was developed to encourage people who were visiting the Riesling Trail to stop in Clare and enjoy the facilities in Melrose Park.

It took three years to build and was originally started by founder of CVME Don Springbett.

“He (Mr Springbett) was a driving force and did so much of the work … and we just thought it would be good to have something that acknowledged his work not just here but around the town,” Mr Manderson said.

The gazebo was officially named the Don Springbett Gazebo after his immense contribution to the Clare community.

“What we’re all doing is part of a tribute that we’ve all got respect for Don Springbett,” Mr Goode said.

Before he passed away in 2015, Mr Springbett started community projects and volunteered in many local community groups.

He also helped plan and build the gazebo dedicated to his memory.

The two community groups have invited the public to an official opening celebration on May 7 at 2pm and have offered free afternoon tea and train rides to attendees.

To find out more about the opening celebration, contact Mr Goode on 0418 894 304.